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New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Joining the dots: how a hybrid approach to grid networks makes sense in the transition
30/7/2025
8 min read
Feature
Power grid connection is often one of the largest obstacles facing the green energy transition today. If we are to avoid grid congestion and gain the full potential of green energy, innovative approaches will be needed. One area of innovation will be the adoption of hybrid power plants, where presently most renewable energy resources operate in independent silos. New Energy World Features Editor Brian Davis reports on key European and Asian initiatives.
The hybrid approach to grid networks involves integrating a variety of different energy sources, which are increasingly renewable, along with battery storage and other technologies, to create a more resilient and efficient power system. In practice, this model is useful for addressing the intermittent nature of most renewable sources, like solar and wind, by combining them with storage and other technologies to maximise energy supply, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions.
Hybrid power plants can combine solar or wind energy sources by co-locating multiple technologies behind a single connection point. Battery storage ensures that excess energy can be stored during periods of peak generation and released during times of high demand or low capacity, while also reducing reliance on fossil power.
Furthermore, co-location can lead to cost savings ‘by sharing grid connections and optimising land usage, contributing to a more stable and reliable grid, alleviating bottlenecks and shortening grid connection times’, according to a study titled Co-location, Co-location, Co-location by Cornwall Insight and law firm Weightmans, reported by the Solar Power Portal. However, the study notes that ‘favourable regulatory conditions are required if hybrid projects are to reach their full potential, especially with regard to rules and permitting processes’.